Downtown New Bedford Welcomes the Women’s Fund of Southeastern Mass

It was a glorious night for the Women's Fund of Southeastern Massachusetts.

A ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Thursday, September 13 to open up the Women's Fund's newest location, honoring women across the Southeastern area of Massachusetts.

TSM/Gazelle

Above Downtown, New Bedford's newest business "People's Press," the Cold-Pressed Juice Company, is where you will find the office of the Women's Fund at 135 Union Street. The locally-based chapter of this national organization raises funds to help advance women and their securities. The group invests in programs and social change that create opportunities and equality for women.

TSM/Gazelle

Executive Director of The Women's Fund of Southeastern Mass, Valerie Bassett, led the open house Thursday night.

"I've been here (with the Women's Fund) for about four and a half years and became the Executive Director when Kate Fentress retired." Bassett said. "I'm very passionate about building women's strength, connecting with women, economic justice and supporting girls and women to evoke leaders."

Bassett explains her mission and future outlook with the project.

"It's an engine for women as leadership to ensure that we are economically secure with a large endowment, so that we can give a lot of money to other organizations doing the work and continue to be a strong partner and part of the conversation," she said.

TSM/Gazelle

After being relocated from 30 Cornell Street near Buttonwood Park, the Women's Fun of Southeastern Mass is now directly located across from their partnership, whose focus is to fund throughout the region with a larger picture in mind, where as the Women's Fund solely focuses on women, a much broader mission.

TSM/Gazelle

Overall, the community came together for the Open House, and Bassett was thrilled to see such a great showing.

"Tonight, I look around and I see so many important leaders, diverse leaders," she stated. "The power we have when we come together from different communities from different class levels, but we are united in our commitment to create better opportunities for women in the region. I'm inspired by the energy of these women and their relationships."

TSM/Gazelle

Following the ribbon cutting, a photographic plaque was unveiled on the new office wall by a local artist, Tracy Barbosa of New Bedford, honoring the women of the Women's Fund of Southestern Mass, the founders who helped the program succeed and grow, as well as those who have donated towards the new location.